And Cross feels the 22-year-old is now fulfilling the potential he showed before the horror injury he suffered against Stoke in February 2010.

The Daily Mirror football reporter told Extra Time: “I think it’s confidence as much as fitness with Ramsey. He believes in his body again.

“I thought he was going to be a really special player before his injury and that curtailed him. When he came back he didn’t quite believe in himself or have the confidence to go full tilt. But now he’s back to his best – he covers every blade of grass, and he looks strong and dynamic.

“It’s interesting that last season when players needed to be moved around it was he who was moved out to the left. But at Sunderland on Saturday it was Jack Wilshere who was shifted.

“Ramsey has moved right to the very top of the list – it’s Ramsey, Ozil and one other [in Arsenal’s midfield]. He’s playing out of his skin.”